Banks, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward from John Curtis High School, averaged 19 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks a game as a senior and was an all-metro, all-district and all-state selection two years in a row during his prep career. In addition, he led his team to the Louisiana Class 2A state championship in 2011-12 and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Bartow said Banks has great potential to develop into a quality collegiate player.

“Everything is in front of him,” Bartow said. “He’s extremely long and plays much larger than his 6-7 height because of that length. His best attribute is he’s a great rebounder, but he also has the ability to score and face up to the basket. If he continues to put on some weight and get stronger he can become a great contributor to our program.”

Banks averaged double figures scoring for three seasons at the prep level, and in fact his best statistical year came as a junior when he averaged 20 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks per game. He said ETSU was the right fit for him.

“When I visited it was like a family at ETSU and everyone was really welcoming. It seemed like a place I could spend four years,” Banks said. “The players on the team were great and I’m looking forward to learning from everyone in the program. What I will bring to the team is a player who will work hard every day both on and off the court. I feel like I can rebound with anyone in the country and I just love playing the game with energy.”

Banks joins five other players who have previously signed to join the Bucs’ 2013-14 recruiting class, a group that includesLeonard Smith(Hickman, Ky.), Darius Forrest (Jackson, Miss.), Jaylen Riley (Racine, Wis.), Devin Harris (Tampa, Fla.) and A.J. Merriweather (Jackson). For more ETSU men’s basketball throughout the offseason, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men’s hoops link.